While Cars Land grabs much of the spotlight in Disney California Adventure Park, there are plenty of other amazing attractions in this part of the resort. A ride that ranks as one of the resort’s biggest crowd pleasers is Soarin’ Round the World in Grizzly Peak Airfield. Strap yourself into simulated hang gliders to swoop through the air and get bird’s-eye views of iconic locations around the globe, such as the Great Pyramids of Egypt, Sydney Harbor, and two places that inspired features in the Magic Kingdom: the Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps and the “Sleeping Beauty” castle in Bavaria. Another way to “take to the skies” here is Goofy’s Sky School, where a coaster-mounted flight-training vehicle will have you holding on tight, three stories in the air.
Next—and especially when it’s hot out—get the thrill of a whitewater rafting trip in the Sierra Nevada with a splash-and-douse ride down the Grizzly River Run. Then, ride a clanging streetcar along Buena Vista Street, a carefully recreated homage to a Los Angeles neighborhood circa 1923, when young Walt Disney first arrived from Missouri. Have fresh-made chocolates or hand-dipped caramel apples at Trolley Treats, or—if you’re a grown-up—a retro Manhattan in the stylish bar at Carthay Circle, also serving classy fare by Chef Andrew Sutton in a swanky setting that feels like a vintage Hollywood supper club.
At California Adventure’s Avengers Campus, immerse yourself in the Marvel Universe and enjoy all-ages attractions with a superhero theme.
Guardians of the Galaxy—Mission: Breakout! and Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure are two attractions with an extremely high thrill-to-minute ratio. Guardians of the Galaxy—Mission: Breakout! is a drop tower ride that takes guests on a mission with the motley crew of superheroes, featuring both the music and humor from the Guardians of the Galaxy films. Meanwhile, Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure is an interactive 3D ride where riders use gesture technology to sling virtual webs and help Spider-Man capture mischievous Spider-Bots.
Nearby, smaller kids—or anyone who just prefers gentler rides—will enjoy Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind, The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, and Pixar Pier’s Jesse’s Critter Carousel, inspired by Toy Story 2. And appropriate for all ages is the interactive Turtle Talk with Crush experience, where visitors can chat up a storm with Crush, the happenin’ sea turtle from Finding Nemo. This is one attraction that is worth visiting more than once—every conversation will be different.
For classic boardwalk-style rides, head to Pixar Pier, which opened in summer 2018 (formerly known as Paradise Pier) and features the Incredicoaster, midway games and a Ferris wheel—all featuring characters from Pixar movies such as The Incredibles, Inside Out, and the Toy Story series. The movie-character theme extends to food, too, from the Señor Buzz Churros and Hangry Dogs to the sit-down Lamplight Lounge, filled with Pixar sketches and memorabilia.
